Notes: Disclaimer on the first chapter.
Wow, I don't have much to say. Other then, Enjoy!
Thank you for all the lovely feedback I have received!
Chapter 12
Taro entered Ucchan's Restaurant right at 5 in the evening. It was still early for dinner, so most of the staff was doing last minute prep duties. There were one or two tables with a couple of customers. Taro sighed. So much for privacy, bystanders can be so annoying.
Ukyou came out of the kitchen, the instant she saw the guest was Taro. "Hey Hon! You're on time. Unfortunately, Ranma isn't here yet. Would you like something while you wait?"
Taro frowned but indicated with a gesture he would sit. "Is he dishonorable enough to avoid meeting with me?"
Ukyou stiffened. "No. And I'm certainly honorable enough to make sure he knew to come here. He's probably running late due to a fight at school or something."
Taro raised an eyebrow, "This Ranma is still in school then?" Hopefully this guy won't be a dead end. I don't have that many more dojo's to check out.
"Yes, he is. But he's defeated many foes three times his age, so don't let his age fool you." Ukyou said hotly. Ukyou settle. Just because everyone who came looking for Ranma was spoiling for a fight, doesn't mean this guy is.
Taro smirked noting Ukyou's defensive remarks on her friend's behalf. "I'll keep that in mind, my lady. It's a tad early for me to eat, so may I have a soda?"
"Oh, sure. I'm sure Ranma will be here soon." Ukyou said as she stepped away from Taro's table.
A moment later, a waitress set a glass of soda in front of him and prepared to pour a glass of water for him.
Taro swallowed nervously, "Um, excuse me. I would not like any water."
The girl looked up, "You wouldn't?"
Taro nodded, trying not to be obvious about his nervousness about how carelessly she was holding the pitcher.
"Ok, well, let me know if you want anything else."
Taro nodded. "I'll do that." He sighed in relief as she moved away. He watched her approach another table and refill their waters. The waitress certainly had a nice figure. Hopefully he hadn't been too terse with request. He didn't want any water on the table for this conversation. It was hard enough to talk in Japanese, without the threat of spilled water to dodge.
Taro watched the customers and waitresses as they carried out their meals. It was a well-organized dance, Ukyou at the center at her grill. She definitely had a talent. It didn't look like she was performing, just cooking flamboyantly, flipping the okonomiyaki so they landed back on the grill after twisting in the air. Yes, it certainly looked like she was in her element.
A lone teenage boy stopped at the host stand. The host pointed in Taro's direction. The boy warily walked up the aisle. The grace and smooth movements did reveal he had training. It didn't reveal the level. Even the most basic dance classes could instill such behavior. The most shocking thing about the boy, coming towards him, was his clothing. His red shirt was like much like Chinese shirts. It flowed well with his black slacks. Ukyou mentioned he was coming from school, but I doubt the school here would have that sort of uniform! Perhaps his delay was due to changing clothes.
"Good day, were you waiting for someone?" said the boy once he approached the table.
Taro glanced at the grill area, wondering why Ukyou wasn't here to do introductions. The line of dinner tickets waiting in front of her was the answer. He sighed.
"Good day, yes. I was waiting for a Saotome Ranma."
Ranma nodded, after following Taro's glance at the kitchen. Ranma felt seriously out his depth, but this guy wanted to talk. So Ranma strained himself to act polite, "I am, he." Ranma took the seat across from Taro.
"I am… Taro. I am searching for the master of the anything goes martial art. Ukyou mentioned you may know where he may be."
A shadow fell across Ranma's face. A waitress placed a soda in front and winked flirting.
"Why? Ukyou must have told you, we ain't currently taking students."
"Oh, I'm not interested in learning the art. I have… personal business with the master."
Ranma took a drink of his soda, giving Taro a chance to do the same.
"Then why? If you are wishing to try your skill against the art, I can do that, without summoning the master."
Taro narrowed his eyes. "I… doubt that. It matters not. If I have to challenge your art to speak to your betters, I'll do that. I will not sit here and discuss my personal business with a measly student."
Ranma bristled and his aura flared. I am not a measly student! I've defeated numerous of foes! The elder of the amazons, numerous of other art masters, and my father countless of times! "Fine! I accept your challenge!"
Taro blinked. He stood. "You should be careful about your temper. It certainly has done you no favors today. One week from now, I'll see you in the Tokyo park, near its water fountain, after you are free from your schooling."
The whole restaurant tensely watched Taro leave. There was no explosion and no fighting. The customers counted themselves lucky and worked to finish their meals quickly.
Ranma sighed and his aura faded out. He had to hand it to the stranger, that exit was smooth. Ranma debated leaving, but he decided to stay. After all, Ukyou would pester him for details of what happened. If he stayed now, he could probably get one of the great tasting okonomiyaki without the glaring of Akane.
"On the house!" Ukyou announced holding two okonomiyakis. She blinked, "Where's Taro?"
Ranma took a plate from Ukyou and started eating. With a full mouth, "He left."
Ukyou sat down. "So… how do it go? Since I still have customers in the restaurant, it can't be too bad."
"Ukyou. He insulted me and challenged me to a fight."
Ukyou frowned. "Itai. I thought, I thought he would be different. If there was a fight I figured the Master would take care of it."
Ranma paused. "Ukyou. I've never met our Master. There's one. There has to be for there to be a Dojo. Yet, when I asked last night, Papa and Tendo-san went off and got drunk on sake."
Ukyou puzzled over that. "They didn't say anything about summoning the Master?"
Ranma shook his head and continued to eat. "It seemed the last thing on their minds. So Ukyou… what do you know about this Taro?"
Ukyou shrugged, "Next to nothing. He's from China. He is looking for the master of anything goes martial art. I thought since he wasn't mentioning a life-long family feud, or wanting to win the hand of Akane that this would be solved quietly."
Ranma finished the plate off. "Did you tell him about my… curse?"
Ukyou shook her head violently. "No, hon! I wouldn't run around telling people about that!" Especially now, when I have my own to hide.
Ranma shrugged. "He set the meeting at the park at the water fountain."
Ukyou calmed down. "Oh. Well, it is a landmark in the central part of the park. Ryoga… well I doubt it, but Taro came to the restaurant guiding Ryoga back. But, when I talked to Taro it seemed that I was the first one to offer him the information."
Ranma gestured, "Are you going to eat that?"
Ukyou looked down at the okonomiyaki she cooked for Taro. "Go ahead. I have to get back to the grill. Ranma, I am sorry."
Ranma waved Ukyou off, "No worries, Ucchan! He would've found me anyway."